The Norman Conquest in 1066 changed everything about how England was governed. It shook up the country's politics and made lasting changes. Here’s how it changed governance in key ways:

1. Centralization of Power

Before the Normans arrived, England's rulers were local. The Anglo-Saxon system had local leaders called earls and thanes who had a lot of control.

When the Normans came, they brought power to the king. William the Conqueror became the top leader, which meant all the land technically belonged to him. This meant local leaders had less power, and the king could manage the kingdom more directly.

2. Feudal System

The feudal system was one of the biggest changes. Here’s how it worked:

• The king gave large pieces of land to his loyal nobles, called barons, in return for their military support.
• These barons controlled their own areas (called fiefs) and hired knights to help them in battles.
• This setup made governance more stable by creating clear roles and loyalties, even though it sometimes led to fights over land and power.

3. Domesday Book

One important thing William did was create the Domesday Book in 1086. This was a huge record that:

• Counted and described the lands and resources in England to help the king understand his kingdom.
• Served as a tool for figuring out taxes and solving land disputes, which was very important for good governance.
• Showed how the Normans liked to keep records and stay organized, unlike the Anglo-Saxons who relied more on oral traditions.

4. Legal Changes

The Normans brought new laws. The old Anglo-Saxon laws started to mix with Norman rules, resulting in:

• The creation of royal courts and a system called common law, which made legal processes more similar everywhere.
• A move from trial by ordeal to structured trials that focused on fairness and evidence.

5. Cultural Shift

Governance also included cultural changes. The Normans introduced:

• A new upper class that spoke Norman French, which became the main language used in courts and government for a while.
• A new style of buildings, like castles and stone churches, that showed Norman influence and symbolized power.

In short, the Norman Conquest changed how England was governed, making systems more centralized, organized, and structured. These changes laid the foundation for the English monarchy we know today, making it a key moment in British history.